Andrew F. Giesen Jr. M.D.

October 11, 1925 - June 11, 2009

Biography

Physician, mentor, confidant, friend to many, and a true southern gentleman.
Long-time Fort Walton Beach resident Dr. Andrew Giesen Jr, 83, passed away Thursday June 11, 2009 at Fort Walton Beach Medical Center after a courageous battle with colon cancer. He was born October 11, 1925 in Macon GA to native Virginians, Virginia Vaughan and Andrew F. Giesen, Sr. M.D. Dr. Giesen spent his formative years in rural Oklahoma graduating from Konawa High School in 1943. He attended Virginia Polytechnic Institute in Blacksburg, VA prior to serving in the US Army Counter Intelligence Corp during World War II. He then obatined his BS at Roanoke College, Salem VA and his M.D. from Tulane University Medical School in 1952.
Dr. Giesen performed his Internship and Radiology Residency at Philadelphia General Hospital and then entered private practice for short periods in Austin, TX and Montgomery, AL; before joining the staff at both Ocshner Clinic and Tulane University Medical School. He came to the Fort Walton Beach area in 1962 and served as the first permanent radiologist in Okaloosa County. He worked on the staff of Fort Walton Beach Hospital and White Wilson Medical Center. He was a founding member of General Hospital (currently the Fort Walton Beach Medical Center) when it opened in 1974. He served on the General Hospital Board of Trustees 1974-79, and was also Chief of Staff 1979-80.
Dr. Giesen joined the Southern Medical Association in 1959 and became a life member in 1964. He served in a variety of capacities including: Section on Radiology from 1964-69, Counsel Member from 1970-74, Chairman of the Counsel in 1975, Executive Committee 1970-78, and Southern Medical Association President in 1977-78. He was also active on the Finance, Insurance, Personnel and Member Benefits committees; the Board of Trustees, and the 1906 Society.
He was a member of the Southern Radiological Conference, serving as President in 1963-64. He was a Fellow of the American College of Radiology and a member of the American Medical Association. He retired from practicing medicine in 1993 and remained active in the medical community until his death. Most recently he worked at 21st Century Oncology.
He was active in the local community, serving on the Okaloosa County School Board for 16 years during which time he had the pleasure of personally presenting high school diplomas to two of his three children. He served as Chairman of the School Board 1974-76 and 1984-86. Dr. Giesen was a director at Compass Bank (formerly First Federal Savings and Loan) since 1968.
He had a lifelong love of baseball and played in the farm leagues prior to World War II. He was an avid fisherman and hunter, and a fan of University of Oklahoma Football, Women’s NCAA Basketball, and the Professional Bull Riders Association.
Dr. Giesen is survived by his wife of 57 years, Virginia Conrad of New Orleans, LA; three children Andrew F. III, PhD (Linda) of Defiance, MO, George Bradley (Jennifer Norris) of Destin, FL, and Gwendolyn Conrad Giesen (Keith Milyo) of Dallas, TX; grandchildren Joseph Andrew and Carrie Elizabeth Giesen of Defiance, MO; brothers Tom Giesen (Debbie) of Lyman, SC and Professor R.A. "Tony” Giesen of Moneta VA.
Dr. Giesen never met a stranger. He strongly believed and often reminded others that, “Family, Friends and Memories are what matters most in life."
Memorial services are scheduled for Saturday June 27, 2009 at Immanuel Anglican Church on Indian Bayou Trail in Destin, FL, a time of visitation will be from 10 am – 12 pm (noon) with service beginning at noon. A reception following the service will be held at the Fort Walton Beach Yacht Club.
The family expresses its appreciation to the staff of the 4th Floor South of Fort Walton Beach Medical Center and to the doctors and staff of Emerald Coast Cancer Center.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials in honor of Andrew F. Giesen Jr. M.D. to: Tulane University School of Medicine, 6823 St. Charles Ave, New Orleans, LA 70118, or American Cancer Society (designate research only), 339 NW Racetrack Rd. Fort Walton Beach FL, 32547, or MD Anderson Cancer Center, PO Box 4486, Houston, TX 77210.